blurbs

I think I must be the kind of reader that book marketing people have in mind. I know a lot of people who say they don’t understand the draw of covers, or back cover copy or blurbs, or author photos, or what, but I love and pay attention to all of those things. I’ve bought many, many books because I thought their covers were so pretty, including, but not by a long shot limited to:

Now, sometimes, I never actually read the book I bought because of the cover. Sometimes, I read it and think, eh. And sometimes, I love it so much that I buy anything and everything that the author has ever written regardless of what the cover looks like, and devour it in a weekend. (NonamesScottWesterfeld.)

Anyway, I’m totally a person to whom the cover of a book makes a huge difference in terms of drawing my attention to an unknown title in the bookstore. So it was with great trepidation that I awaited the design of my own cover. I love it. (Let us take a moment and admire it, there on the right. Ooh, aah…) I think people will definitely come and pick it up and see what it’s about.

I’m also a person to whom the blurb on a book matters. If it’s a writer whose books I’m familiar with or whose record speaks for itself, it’s kind of like instant word-of-mouth. A lot of people say they never read them or they don’t care, or whatever, the authors were cajoled into doing it by their friends and agents and it’s all lies, lies, they tell you! But I still pay attention. And I don’t think the blurbers are lying, because it’s their reputation on the line, too. When a blurb is really powerful, really saying SOMETHING, I can’t help but sit up and take notice. For instance, one I can’t get out of my head:

“The next great historical romance author has arrived.” — Lisa Kleypas

Well. Knock me over with a feather. Now there’s a dream blurb. A huge, famous, NYT bestselling author graces a debut novelist with a prophecy! That’s a fucking incredible blurb and if I were Lydia Joyce (to whom the blurb refers), I’d seriously consider having it tattooed on my body somewhere.

As I am considering with this one:

“Absolutely captivating, “Secret Society Girl” takes us into the mysterious, rarified, and delicious world of an Ivy League secret society–but even more, into the life of a fascinating and dauntless young woman. Diana Peterfreund has such a bright, original voice, and she has written an unforgettable novel.”
– Luanne Rice

Though it would be a rather large tattoo. Maybe I’ll just stick with the bit about the “unforgettable novel.” Or “absolutely captivating.” You know, short and sweet.

And by “sweet” I mean sweeeeeeeeeeeeet.

:::Diana happy dances:::